Ilkley

Situated below the well known Ilkley Moor and the Cow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley was originally an Iron Age settlement taken over by the Romans who named it Olicana. The countryside which surrounds the town is beautiful and there are plenty of walks to be found. The most famous of them is the Dales Way and Ilkley is the starting point. It passes through Bolton Abbey and up through Wharfedale to Buckden, then on to Sedbergh and Windermere in the Lake District.
Local history can be found in the Manor House Museum, located in a 13th century building with artefacts from many eras including prehistoric, Roman and Victorian times. The famous white-washed building known as White Wells is located on Ilkley Moor and was very popular in Victorian times for its reputed healing qualities; Charles Darwin took the waters when he visited in 1859. For those brave enough, Ilkley is one of the few Yorkshire towns to have an outdoor swimming pool and it is popular on those warm sunny days in the summer.
Accommodation is plentiful with bed and breakfasts, hotels and self catering holiday cottages in surrounding villages. There are plenty of good cafes and restaurants including the very famous Betty's tea rooms which are highly recommended; just don't forget your wallet!
Located on the A65 Leeds to Skipton road it provides easy access to the Yorkshire Dales.